Why is there an oil leak in my muffler?

PROBLEMATICSC2

MEMBER

2001 SATURN SC2

170,000 MILES

I just bought my first car a couple weeks ago and thought I was getting a great deal on a used car, im afraid this leak I have found today will most likely fail an emissions test. I have not been driving the car because I do not yet have my license, so ive been storing it in my garage until I get it out on the road. Earlier today I took it out because I thought my exhaust needed a rubber bracket to hold it in place, I thought of this because every time I start the car the exhaust rattles and makes quite a bit of noise. When I was looking at just where this bracket would need to go I found that the car spit out a bit of oil every time I started and stopped the engine. Im getting my license soon and I dont know what I need to do to fix my car, please help, thank you

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Monday, September 26th, 2011 AT 3:10 AM

4 Replies

PROBLEMATICSC2

MEMBER

When I also got the car, I checked the oil. And the car was bone dry, so I filled it to 3/4 full, and the car seems to run great, yet the service engine light stays on and the oil is in the muffler.

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Monday, September 26th, 2011 AT 3:17 AM

SATURNTECH9

EXPERT

I have never seen engine oil come out the muffler are you sure its engine oil?That would be really hard to have raw oil come out the muffler. Also what codes do you have?

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Monday, September 26th, 2011 AT 3:35 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

EXPERT

Okay, don't panic. First, if there is oil in the exhaust, you would be getting blue smoke from the exhaust system when you have the engine running. Is that happening? Next, it is very common for a black sootie water to come out of the exhaust when it is started after sitting. Condensation developes in the system and then when you start it, water comes out. That mixed with carbon in the exhaust turns it black. The original oil level concers me, but someone may have left it get low. Keep an eye on it. Finally, if the check engine light is on, that means there is a trouble code stored in the computer. You need a scanner to reteive it. Since you don't have your lincense, you can't drive it to a parts store where they will scan it for free. So you need to call around the parts stores to see if they will lend you one. It plugs in inside the car and communicates with the car's computer. From that, you will get a trouble code that will identify why the light is on and where the problem is coming from.

I hope this helps you. Let me know if you have other questions.

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Monday, September 26th, 2011 AT 3:39 AM

SATURNTECH9

EXPERT

Very well put jacobandnickolas it could be burning oil also those engines have been known to burn oil especailly if the oil wasnt change regulary. Get the codes and we will go from there.